question_answer

In what ways was the administration of the colony different from that of the Indian rulers?      

Answer:

(i) Before the Britishers emerged on the political horizon of India, the Indian territories were divided into kingdoms, ruled by different rulers. They had their own administrative policies. The whole country was not under single blanket of administration.

(ii) While British territories were broadly divided into administrative units called Presidencies. There were three presidencies, e.g., Bengal, Madras and Bombay.

(iii) Each presidency was ruled by a Governor. The supreme head of the administration was the Governor General.

(iv) From 1772, a new system of justice was established. In each district, two courts were made?a criminal court (faujdar adalat) and a civil court (diwani adalat).

(v) Maulvis and Hindu pandits interpreted Indian laws for the European district collectors who presided over dvil courts. The criminal courts were still under a quazi and a mufti, but under the supervision of the collectors.

(vi) The principal figure in an Indian district was the collector. As the title suggests, his main job was to collect revenues and taxes and maintain law and order in his district with the help of judges, police officers and darogas.